The aftermath of the March 11 earthquake in Japan continues to rivet the world’s scientists, who are using new data from the 8.9 temblor and resulting tsunami to improve plans for how to respond to a large seismic event in Southern California.

Across the vast Pacific, the mighty bluefin tuna carried radioactive contamination that leaked from Japan’s crippled nuclear plant to the shores of the United States 6,000 miles away — the first time a huge migrating fish has been shown to carry radioactivity such a distance.

Japan’s consul general has expressed gratitude to a Los Angeles County Fire Department urban search and rescue team that rushed across the Pacific to help in the aftermath of the devastating quake and tsunami.

Backdropped by the deadly earthquake and tsunami and worsening radiation leak, the Japan Pro Baseball season has opened to relief, empathy and cheers with the Rakuten Eagles beating the defending champion Chiba Lotte Marines 6-4.